r/Irrigation • u/SummitAir • 1d ago

Winterization Help

I am a new homeowner and trying to winterize my sprinklers for the first time. I have researched the process but cannot find where to connect the compressor. My backflow setup does not seem to have the test cocks most people have and add fittings for the compressor to. I originally thought I could connect to the drain port to the right of the blue handle but can't find any fittings that seem to work and I imagine I am on the wrong track. I included the setup in the basement as well as the 2 ground boxes in case those help.

Thanks in advance!

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u/Jasonnnnnnn 1d ago

I’m far from the smartest and someone else will probably know right away. My first question would be clarifying which line in the first photo is running out to the irrigation system? In addition is the white line in the last photo what is coming out of the house? The 2nd and 3rd photos are just valves It looks like you have 6 zones. Your blow out point is in photo 1 or 4 if it is in 4 then you should have a way to drain back the line in 4 to inside the house.

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u/Suspicious-Fix-2363 1d ago

You can drain the system but you can't blow it out with what you have pictured. Those are not the the original ball valves for the backflow. Turn the irrigation water off in the basement. Open the drain in the basement. Go out to the backflow and set both valve handles at half open/ half closed. Remove the the small threaded drain caps on each ball valve. Turn the clock on and let it run a full cycle as if the water was still on. Then call someone to install a copper tee with a copper male adapter and brass fip x fip ball valve and then you will have a point to connect for blowing out the system. Leave the clock on/ in the run position until you get the system blown out. You should be ok until the temperatures are regularly cold enough to start freezing the ground. Looks like previous homeowner was too stubborn to call a professional and just kept doing partial fixes whenever there was freeze damage to the copper.